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HITHER "I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never." Captain Wentworth, Persuasion, Chapter 23 These compelling lines are from the famous "you pierce my... Continue Reading →
UNFEIGNED ... and she (Fanny Price)Â found herself the next moment conducted by Mr. Crawford to the top of the room, and standing there to be joined by the rest of the dancers, couple after couple, as they were formed. She could hardly believe it. To be placed above so many elegant young women! The distinction... Continue Reading →
INFALLIBLYÂ ... and all the rest of his conversation, or rather talk, began and ended with himself and his own concerns. He told her of horses which he had bought for a trifle and sold for incredible sums; of racing matches, in which his judgment had infallibly foretold the winner; of shooting parties, in which... Continue Reading →
DOUBLE-DYED (Augusta Elton) "...My brother and sister will be enchanted with this place. People who have extensive grounds themselves are always pleased with any thing in the same style." Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment. She had a great idea that people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the extensive grounds... Continue Reading →
DELICACY We have been both to the exhibition and Sir J. Reynolds'; and I am disappointed, for there was nothing like Mrs. D. at either. I can only imagine that Mr. D. prizes any picture of her too much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would have... Continue Reading →
ABHOR "That is an expression, Sir John," said Marianne warmly, "which I particularly dislike. I abhor every common-place phrase by which wit is intended; and 'setting one's cap at a man,' or 'making a conquest,' are the most odious of all. Their tendency is gross and illiberal; and if their construction could ever be deemed... Continue Reading →
VOUCHSAFED She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself, -- some shelves in... Continue Reading →
THITHER Captain Wentworth's anxiety to see him (Captain Harville) had determined him to go immediately to Lyme. He had been there for four-and-twenty hours. His acquittal was complete, his friendship warmly honoured, a lively interest excited for his friend, and his description of the fine country about Lyme so feelingly attended to by the party, that an... Continue Reading →
SOLICITUDE It was her (Fanny Price) intension, as she felt it to be her duty, to try to overcome all that was excessive, all that bordered on selfishness, in her affection for Edmund ... She would endeavour to be rational, and to deserve the right of judging of Miss Crawford's character, and the privilege of true solicitude... Continue Reading →
A violent gust of wind, rising with sudden fury, added fresh horror to the moment. Catherine trembled from head to foot. In the pause which suceeded, a sound like receding footsteps and the closing of a distant door struck on her affrighted ear. The Narrator on Catherine Morland In honor of Halloween, it is appropriate... Continue Reading →
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her. The Narrator on Emma Woodhouse The opening line of Emma is so honest! Poor Miss... Continue Reading →
I think I may boast myself to be, with all possible vanity, the most unlearned and uninformed female who ever dared to be an authoress. The Letters of Jane Austen, 11 December 1815 Unlearned? Uninformed? Vanity? I think NOT! This one line from a letter written to the Rev. James Stanier Clarke, librarian to the Prince... Continue Reading →
